Police Briefs

CHILDREN in a West End school playground were approached by a stranger Monday morning and offered candy, police said.

An eight-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy were approached by a man in a vehicle while they played near Clifton School, a nursery-to-Grade 6 school.

The children told police that when the man offered them candy from his truck window, they fled to their caregivers. The children weren't hurt.

The man is described as Caucasian, unshaven, wearing a black tuque and driving a white, two-door pickup truck.

Police credit the two children with smart thinking.

"These children did the right thing by quite simply removing themselves from that situation, notifying an adult that was looking after them at the time and police being notified quickly," Const. Jason Michalyshen, a spokesman with the Winnipeg Police Service, said Wednesday. "If a scenario like this comes up, this is how we want to see it played out."

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 204-986-2839 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Bank hit, suspect sought

POLICE have a warrant out for the arrest of Roy Samuel Williams.

The warrant was issued after an investigation into a bank robbery in the 1500 block of Kenaston Boulevard on Dec. 20, 2012.

The robbery occurred at 6:50 p.m. and involved three male suspects. They entered the bank, confronted several employees and demanded money. They received an undisclosed amount and fled in a stolen pickup truck.

The suspects abandoned the stolen truck and fled in another stolen vehicle. Police located the suspects in the second vehicle in the 900 block of Markham Road. A woman got out of the vehicle and was taken into custody, but the remaining occupants fled.

The major crimes unit, which issued the warrant for Williams, 33, continues to investigate.

"This is just another suspect we've been making every effort to locate," said Const. Jason Michalyshen. "We've had difficulties tracking this individual down, and as a result of that, we're seeking the public's assistance."

Williams is described as aboriginal, six feet tall, 195 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes, medium build and a possible goatee.

Police are not asking anyone to make contact with Williams, just for information, Michalyshen said.

Ex-Churchill CAO charged

A man who used to work for the Town of Churchill faces charges after it was discovered the town was defrauded of more than $140,000.

After receiving a report last November of suspected financial discrepancies, an investigation by the Churchill RCMP and the RCMP's Winnipeg-based financial integrity unit found the town was the victim of two bogus invoices totalling more than $140,000 between August and September 2012.

Albert William Meijering, 44, of the RM of Springfield, has been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, two counts of theft over $5,000 and one count of breach of trust.

Meijering, the former chief administrative officer of Churchill, has been released from custody and must abide by several court orders. He will appear in Churchill court on Aug. 13.

Stop nets bayonet, $10K

A military-style bayonet and $10,000 in cash were seized and a man arrested on Friday by Portage la Prairie RCMP, who stopped a vehicle for speeding at about 1 p.m. on the Trans-Canada Highway east of the Portage.

An investigation revealed the driver was breaching court-imposed conditions and he was taken into custody.

Nolan Lockhart, 20, of Brandon was charged with possession of proceeds of crime, breach of recognizance, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He remains in custody and police continue to investigate.

Robbers had bear spray

THREE men armed with bear spray robbed a bar in the 3000 block of Ness Avenue on Wednesday just after midnight.

After the three came into the bar and confronted staff, one of the men jumped over the counter and demanded cash.

Winnipeg police arrived at the bar but the suspects had fled after obtaining an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspects are described as aboriginal in appearance, in their early 20s and wearing dark clothing. The major crimes unit is investigating.

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